Melanochromis Auratus

Family        Cichlidae

Genus         Melanochromis

Common Name   Nyasa Golden Cichlid, Turquoise-Gold Cichlid

Origin        Lake Malawi

Habitat       Found near rocky shores

Description

Deep and laterally compressed. Dorsal fin has a very long base and the caudal fin is rounded. Color is deep black with two bright blue horizontal lines running along the body. One runs from the eye to the caudal peduncle, the other is along the base of the dorsal fin. A couple of traverse lines are found on the forehead. Anal fin is black and has an orange spot. Dorsal fin is bright blue and the others are colorless. Females appear to have the inverse color of the males with the primary color being golden yellow. Alarmed males may have the color of females.

General Care

Very aggressive and territorial. Requires a large tank with robust plants and secure rock formations. Water temperature 22-25 °C. Usually remains in the lower middle environs of the tank. Varied diet of animal matter, dried food, algae and lettuce appreciated.

Personal Annotation

My friend states that this is the most aggressive fish he has ever owned. (He has owned a lot of cichlids over the years). So aggressive in fact that he had to return it to the store in fear of his other fish.

Discussions Below

Healing

Healing

The worst injury seems to be his tail-fin -- chewed down to the base. We set up a hospital tank per the recommendations in one reference (10 gallon, same water, raised temperature 2 degrees to 80 °F, and added liquid bandage). Tonight we notice that there's white fuzzy stuff on the tail fin. A fungus? We added 500 mcg. of vitamin B12 to the tank. What else should we do for our injured fish?

From: rec.aquaria - 09/05/94 Dennis Heltzel dheltzel@crl.com

Add salt to the tank, 1 tsp per gallon, gradually. I usually measure the amount I want to add into a cup, then pour 1/4 of it in every hour or so until it's all in. Also, If you have plenty of aeration, it might help to raise the temp another 3-4 degrees. If the fish seems stressed (heavy breathing), lower the temp back down though. I've seen Melanochromis hurt much worse than yours recover completely, so take heart. The big problem is how to re-introduce the fish to your main tank. If it is a male, it probably won't ever work, better to return the fish to the pet store. If it's a female, be sure she is completely recovered and then rearrange all the rockwork in the tank. Add the new fish and feed immediately.